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Science News Archive March 2013


Page 7 of 30

Psychology study shows distance plays key role in gun control arguments

A new psychology study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that public officials located out of state from their constituents are more likely to gain approval by framing their arguments around the abstract rather than specific incidents. This prompts people to consider the larger picture, according to researchers.

Glass-blowers at a nano scale

EPFL researchers have developed a method to shrink glass capillary tubes using a scanning electron microscope, resulting in precise control over the tube's diameter. This technique has been patented and shows promise for industrial applications such as ultra-high precision printing and surgery.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Increased time to pregnancy linked to child's neurological development

A small study found that impaired fertility, rather than fertility treatment, may be key to child's neurological development. Longer time to pregnancy was associated with a 30% increased risk of mild neurodevelopmental problems in children. Further research is needed before couples can be counselled accordingly.

What a bunch of dodos!

Research by the Zoological Society of London found that over 4,000 years ago, tropical Pacific Islands experienced a catastrophic mass extinction of birds, with around 1,300 species disappearing. The loss was largely due to overhunting and deforestation caused by human arrival.

Cleverly designed vaccine blocks H5 avian influenza in models

A new vaccine has proven highly effective against the H5N1 avian influenza virus, when tested in mice and ferrets. The vaccine uses an attenuated version of the H9 virus with an added H5 gene, slowing viral replication and reducing the risk of successful reassortment.

Decoding the genetic history of the Texas longhorn

A study by University of Texas at Austin researchers reveals that Texas Longhorns are direct descendants of cattle brought over by Columbus in 1493, with an 85% taurine genome from the Middle East. The breed's genetic diversity is partially responsible for their resilience to harsh climatic conditions.

Scientists confirm first 2-headed bull shark

A team led by MSU assistant professor Michael Wagner confirmed a two-headed bull shark in the Gulf of Mexico. The specimen had two distinct heads, hearts, and stomachs with a single tail, challenging theories about the cause of such deformities.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

'Metascreen' forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak

Scientists have created a metascreen cloak that can hide objects from microwaves, providing optimal functionality at specific frequencies and bandwidths. The researchers predict the technique's conformability and robustness will enable cloaking of oddly shaped objects.

Nouns before verbs?

A new Northwestern University study reveals that infants acquire both nouns and verbs in a more nuanced way than previously thought. The research suggests that the ability to map nouns to objects is robust across languages, but verb mapping is more variable and influenced by linguistic context.

New model predicts hospital readmission risk

A new model developed at Brigham and Women's Hospital helps clinicians identify high-risk patients for potentially avoidable hospital readmissions. The model uses seven independent factors, including hemoglobin level and length of stay, to predict the risk of readmission.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

How school report cards can backfire

New research from Michigan State University finds that publicizing performance data for K-12 schools can lead to decreased parent satisfaction and erosion of trust in the schools. The study suggests that clear and easy-to-understand grading systems are crucial, rather than constantly changing them for policy or political purposes.

Tearing down the technological 'Tower of Babel' along international borders

A joint US-Canada experiment, CAUSE, successfully demonstrated the ability to exchange information between local, state, and national systems across international borders. First responders could visualize resource deployments using situational awareness tools like Virtual Maine and MASAS, improving response efforts.

How common is 'The John Next Door'?

A new study by Dr. Christine Milrod and Dr. Martin A. Monto found that only about 14% of men have ever paid for sex, and those who do are not particularly different from the general population. The researchers also discovered that arrested customers are more likely to be married, working full-time, and sexually liberal than non-customers.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Artifacts shed light on social networks of the past

A study of over 800,000 painted ceramic and 4,800 obsidian artifacts reveals dramatic changes in social networks over a 250-year period in the late pre-Hispanic Southwest. Researchers found that people maintained surprisingly long-distance relationships despite physical distances, using walking as their only mode of transportation.

Einstein study reveals new approach for stopping herpes infections

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a new approach for stopping herpes infections by identifying the molecular key that herpes viruses use to infect cells. The finding could lead to new drugs for treating or suppressing herpes virus infections.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Parkinson's drug helps older people to make decisions

A Parkinson's drug has been shown to reverse age-related impairments in decision making in some older people. The study found that treating older adults with a dopamine-boosting drug improved their ability to learn from rewards and make better decisions, comparable to those in their twenties.

UT MD Anderson scientists uncover the nuclear life of actin

Researchers found that actin's monomeric form interacts with chromatin to regulate gene expression and genome stability. The discovery challenges the dogma that actin functions through polymerization, revealing a novel mechanism for nuclear actin.

Nanowire solar cells raise efficiency limit

Researchers have discovered a single nanowire can concentrate sunlight up to 15 times the normal intensity, raising the potential for highly efficient solar cells. The breakthrough could lead to a significant impact on solar cell development and energy extraction.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Amniotic fluid stem cells repair gut damage

Stem cells from amniotic fluid have been shown to repair gut damage and improve survival rates in rodents with intestinal damage. The study found that these cells work by releasing growth factors that reduce inflammation and trigger the formation of new tissues.

Surprises in the South polar vortex in Venus' atmosphere

Researchers discovered that the South pole vortex of Venus is composed of two main cloud layers, with centres of rotation at different altitudes forming a constantly evolving permanent structure. This phenomenon, known as super-rotation, occurs due to the planet's slow rotation speed and fast atmospheric rotation rate.

Catalyst in a teacup: New approach to chemical reduction

Scientists have developed a new method for chemical reduction using a biomimetic catalyst that mimics naturally occurring enzymes. The catalyst-based approach uses cheap, replenishable reagents and works well at room temperature and in air, even allowing for safe use in a teacup. With high efficiency rates, the research has wide applic...

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Paint-on plastic electronics: Aligning polymers for high performance

University of Michigan engineers create thin-layer, conducting, highly aligned film for high-performance plastic electronics by designing semiconducting polymers with natural twist and flexible arms. This breakthrough enables faster charge carrier mobility and could lead to cheaper, greener electronics.

The genomic studies of wheat sheds new light on crop adaptation and domestication

Two recent studies published in Nature provide unprecedented insights into the biology of wheat, shedding light on its adaptation to diverse climates and improving grain quality. The research revealed the role of repeat expansion in genome size during evolution and identified key genes for abiotic stress response, providing a valuable ...

Nature versus nurture -- better looking birds have healthier babies

A study published in Frontiers in Zoology found that female great tits' appearance signals healthy attributes in their offspring, with black stripe correlating to chick weight at two weeks and white cheek patches to immune strength. The research suggests a balance between genetic and environmental factors in determining offspring health.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Detecting circulating tumor cells

Researchers have developed a multi-stage, multi-orifice flow fractionation system to detect and separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood with high efficiency, improving separation efficiency to 98.9%. The device, called MS-MOFF, employs hydrodynamic sorting and can collect viable CTCs after sorting.

Hip surgery complication rate higher than previously reported

A new case study on over 500 hip procedures found a complication rate of 7.2%, higher than previously reported 1.5%. The multicenter study evaluated all arthroscopic hip procedures using a grading scheme and included a mean age of 32.3 years among participants.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Physical activity during youth may help reduce fracture risk in old age

A recent study found that exercise interventions in childhood may be associated with lower fracture risks as people age due to increased peak bone mass. Researchers conducted a six-year exercise intervention in children aged 7-9 and found similar fracture risks between the intervention and control groups.

Advances in inflammatory bowel disease -- what's new, what's next

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation has set a new research agenda for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), prioritizing understanding of environmental factors, genes, bacteria, and epithelial responses. The goal is to develop personalized treatments through comparative effectiveness studies.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

APL novel method accurately predicts disease outbreaks

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has developed a novel method called PRedicting Infectious Disease Scalable Model (PRISM) to accurately predict dengue fever outbreaks several weeks before they occur. PRISM extracts relationships between clinical, meteorological, climatic and socio-political data in various regions.

Penn study finds smoking prolongs fracture healing

A new study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that smoking delays fracture healing and increases post-operative complications. The research, which analyzed over 6,480 patient cases, shows that smokers take roughly six weeks longer to heal than non-smokers.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Scientists discover layer of liquified molten rock in Earth's mantle

Researchers have discovered a hidden layer of liquified molten rock in the Earth's mantle, which may be responsible for the sliding motions of massive tectonic plates. The finding has significant implications for understanding geologic functions and processes related to volcanism and earthquakes.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Epigenetics studies take root in plants

Mary Gehring's lab uses Arabidopsis as a model for human embryonic development to study gene expression in seeds. Her findings could lead to new insights into diseases caused by chromosomal modifications.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Did evolution give us inflammatory disease?

Researchers found 21 genomic regions with a 'signature' for both inflammatory disease susceptibility and natural selection. These variants rose in frequency to help protect humans against viruses and bacteria, but now increase the risk of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

New chemo drug gentler on fertility, tougher on cancer

A new chemotherapy drug, arsenic trioxide, has been developed to be less toxic to female fertility while being more effective against cancer. The drug is packed into a nanobin, a tiny Trojan horse that delivers the drug directly to tumor cells.